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I had the privilege of touring the newest location of the Austin Area Birth Center yesterday here in Cedar Park, TX. I have been excited to see it for a few months since it opened. Upon arrival I was greeted warmly by office staff and a midwife. My tour began in a family waiting area and kitchen. The kitchen is open to families of the birthing mothers to prepare and store food during their stay. ...

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By: Sarah Parente, CD I loved my home births but in reality, the majority of women are still going to have their babies in hospitals.  Does this mean they are doomed to a birth full of medical interventions?  Not at all.  Yes, there are going to be those hospitals that have high induction rates and high c-section rates, but if you learn about the options in your area and take time to research...

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There are a lot of emotions that float around when you are preparing to give birth - some of them are excitement, anticipation, fear, doubt etc. I had a natural birth at a hospital with my first child about 5 years ago. It was an amazing experience but I know without a doubt that I would not have been able to avoid a c-section without the help of my doula. She was crucial to helping me with positions,...

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This weekend, as I was trying to explain to my uncle that a doula was not like a midwife, my dad tried to tell him that it is similar.  I am going to post a chart comparing what a doula is to what a midwife is since there seems to be some confusion.  Doulas provide non- medical physical and emotional support.  Midwives would be more closely compared to an OB in that they are responsible for the health...

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I am going to share my experience with the latest birth I attended this week. My client was planning a natural hospital birth at Seton Williamson County Hospital here in Round Rock. She told me from the start that her OBGYN was cool with having a Doula and that he had even had moms bring in rented birthing pools to labor in. This sounded good to me. Then I went with her to one of her prenatal appointments...

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I have a friend and fellow doula who is allowing me to share her birth story here. I think many people may think that because I support and have had home births that I think that is the only way to go. Actually I know that the majority of women will not birth at home and there is no reason why a hospital birth can't be as peaceful and respectful. I remember the first birth story I ever read was from...

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